Peggy is the bracelet a commission. The symbology? What gauge copper did you use? Looks good!

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Fred,

Thank you for your comments. The bracelet is not a commission. It is the first repousse piece I have ever done, as I was inspired to try from your postings. It was made from 20g copper and the designs are the alchemical symbols for the four seasons.

Peggy

Janice,

I bought a set of jeweler's tools from an antique shop and later was able to identify them as a set of gravers (no clue as to how to sharpen or use yet) and a set of chasing/repousse tools. Also, for the small round shapes I used punches from a dapping block set. I need to find a reference book to explain which shapes to use for different effects. I just sort of winged it and it was a lot of fun.

Peggy

Well winging it served you well!! :)

~Janice

Janice,

Thank you for your comments.

Peggy

Janice,

If you post images of a few of the tools at a time I can help you identify their use and name. Many of the new chasing and repousse tool usually have to be reshaped and the sharp edges toned down.

There is nothing like a carefully made chasing tool. The older tools are tapered making it easy to follow the leading edge of the tool. I recall bidding on a set of early chasing tools (400+) and being out bid by Brian Clarke of Ireland. I was at least glad that a smith acquired them and not a tool collector. It is a crime when older tools are not used but stored. They die and loose their purpose.

Fred
Metalsmith

If you just wanna talk about shapes, here are some.

 These are some of the ones I use.

 Gene Olson Sculptor

Elk River, MN

Gene,

Thank you for sharing the views of your tools. I found this to be helpful and interesting. It was particularly nice of you to include the clay impressions and the coin & tape measure for scale - much easier to get a sense of them than just the pictures.

Peggy

Great photos of the chasing tools Gene! This is the kind of stuff that is very helpful to folks desiring to learn and work with repouse and chasing.

It would be great if you would create a separate blog post and include it in the chasing and repouse group. That way, folks looking for this type of information will have an easier find.

Thanks again for sharing!

Fred,

Thank you for offering to help me identify my tools. I will definitely take you up on that. I like to collect older tools with the idea of using them. But, I must admit that sometimes I buy them because they're really beautiful - the wood that's used and the care with which they are made kind of makes them like a piece of art.

Peggy

I agree heartily that older tools exhibit much more craftsmanship and care in their manufacture than modern ones tend to. That is one of the reasons that I prefer, whenever possible, to make my own tools. I can then incorporate that same level of care and crafstmanship into what I make, and have a tool that pleases both technically and aesthetically. Attractive tools are a joy to work with.

well hopefully the second times the charm......the first post just disappeared.......LOL........Wish I knew why this happened. IT WENT THRU.....woooooooooohooooo ;)

Janice,
I agree with your conclusion.....100%.
It's the first thing I thought when I saw you pumpkin......ahhhhhhhhhh she needs smaller/finer liners. And maybe even larger dapping tools so that you wouldn't have to planish/smooth the "segments" so much.

I loved the way Fred summed it up....the closer the sized tool is to the finished size of depression. The more efficient the process... start larger, with larger tools and gradually work into more and smaller details by using smaller and smaller tools. Thanks, Fred. Light bulb moment for me. Make TO MUCH SENSE. the ol.....work smarter not harder.

Bill,

Thank you for your comments.

Peggy